As it happened: The Belgian Grand Prix
By Geoff Creighton and Emlyn Hughes

The live commentary has ended. No further updates will be posted.

11:30
Hello everyone and welcome to AUTOSPORT Live for coverage of round 12 in the 2011 FIA Formula 1 world championship - the Belgian Grand Prix from Spa Francorchamps.

Sebastian Vettel claimed his ninth pole of the season at the end of a fantastic qualifying battle with his Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber and Lewis Hamilton. All three drivers occupied the top spot at some stage during the final 10-minute shootout, but it was the championship leader who produced a lap of 1m48.298s to snatch pole away from the Briton's clutches.

Behind the top three on today's grid, there are many hard luck stories. Fernando Alonso starts from row four this afternoon after a disappointing performance in the shootout. Jenson Button - usually a master in damp conditions - was caught out in Q2 and is only 13th.

Michael Schumacher suffered the worst of luck, however. His Mercedes lost a rear wheel at the exit of Malmedy at the start of Q1 and he turned sharp right into the Armco barriers, ending his chances there and then. The German celebrates 20 years in Formula 1 this weekend, but starts from the back of the grid.

The race itself starts at 12:00 GMT, but before then we will take a look at the latest weather forecast, update you on the drivers' laps to the grid and detail the likely tyre strategies for this afternoon's race.

11:30 The pitlane is now open for the drivers to make their reconnaissance laps to the grid.

11:33
A sunny start over Wallonia this morning was very welcome following two days of cloud and rain and the track surface was completely dry by the end of the GP2 sprint race.

Since then, sunny intervals have continued, but a bank of cloud and light rain is building to the west and the southern edge of this band may clip Spa, heightening today's drama still further.

Temperatures are cool with a maximum of just 17 degrees Celsius expected with a stiff 20 kmh breeze blowing from the south-west.

11:35 FIA president Jean Todt is patrolling the pitlane as the cars rush past him, through the pitlane and back out onto the circuit.

11:36 Here's a reminder of the standings just after the half-way point of the season:

11:39 Jenson Button is pushed into his lowly 13th grid slot, but has a lot of potential to move forwards with his gentle use of the Pirelli rubber

11:40 Bernie Ecclestone is on the grid today after flying in from daughter Petra's wedding in Rome.

11:42
With a chronic lack of dry weather running so far this weekend, teams are facing a step into the unknown on tyre performance, even if the rain does stay away.

After running a lengthy stint in the final qualifying segment, those making the top 10 shootout - completed on a cold and green track surface - have heavily degraded rubbrer compared to a normal weekend. Forced to start the race on the exact tyres used in Q3, leading drivers could be heavily compromised by badly damaged rubber from the final part of the knockout session.

Controversy spread across the Spa paddock this morning as some teams - Red Bull in particular - lobbied to have the front tyres, blistered yesterday, replaced, leading Pirelli to bring additional rubber into the circuit. The FIA has since denied that request, meaning Q3 drivers will be on compromised tyres from the start today.

Teams have little data to feed their complex strategy models, so consensus varies on the best way to approach the race. At least two stops will be needed if it stays dry, with teams reacting on the fly to the level of degradation observed. Using all three sets of soft rubber is theoretically faster, but little is known about the durability of the tyres here after such rain-compromised practice sessions.

11:45 The pitlane is now closed. Any car not on the grid by now will have to start today's 44-lap event from the pitlane exit.

11:46 A large crowd gathered around Spa rises to respect the Belgian national anthem, as it plays out over the circuit's public address system.

11:47 Tense times on the grid as the leading teams worry about how the tyres will perform this afternoon, along with that slight chance of rain.

11:48 Hazy sunshine is trying to break through the cloud base, but with little success so far. Vitaly Petrov expects some drizzle in the second half of the race.

11:49
Motor racing fans love to debate and discuss the action on track, and the live forum at the bottom of the screen is your chance to let everyone know your thoughts on events as they unfold at the circuit.

• Will Sebastian Vettel get back to winning ways this afternoon?

• What can Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button do today? Do you think either of them can make the podium?

• Where will Michael Schumacher finish from the back of the grid?

Tell the world what you think.

Click the SHOW LIVE FORUM link in the red bar at the bottom of your browser window if you'd like to join the debate.

11:50 Williams counters Petrov's forecast and expects no rain during the race.

11:52 Keep up to speed with our minute-by-minute commentary on the move with the AUTOSPORT app.

On a train? In an airport? No TV? Get the AUTOSPORT Live experience optimised for your iPhone or Android:

13:38 Mark Webber picks up his award for second place in a tough race, with a 2012 contract in his back pocket and another solid drive today.

13:38 Delight at McLaren as Button gets the final trophy for a sensational drive through from 13th to the last step on the podium.

13:39 The champagne sprays on the podium after an enthralling Belgian Grand Prix. Vettel and Webber make sure Adrian Newey gets a soaking.

13:40 The four stand atop the podium for the traditional post-race photograph in front of a cheering crowd on the pit straight.

13:42 Vettel's title lead is now 92 points, with Webber remaining his closest challenger in the points race.

13:42 Five drivers retired for this afternoon's race.

Perez dropped out with a possible suspension issue when challenging to get back into the points. Ricciardo pulled off to the side of the road under safety car conditions.

Hamilton crashed out after an altercation with Kobayashi at Les Combes, Buemi was forced out with a damaged rear wing in the early stages and his team-mate Alguersuari was the first casualty of the afternoon.

13:42 Vettel's total of 259 points already exceeds his title-winning score of last year, with seven rounds remaining.

13:43 Alonso is now 10 points behind Webber in third, with Button and Hamilton fourth and fifth in the standings.

13:44 Red Bull's one-two puts the constructors' advantage out to 131 points over McLaren, with Ferrari still some way back in third.

13:45 Force India continue to threaten Sauber for sixth place as another score for Sutil moves the Silverstone-based team to three points behind.